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Four freed Palestinians have been rushed to hospital in a “critical condition” after their release as part of a fragile ceasefire, according to a humanitarian group.
“Our crews transferred 4 released prisoners from the reception site to the hospital due to their critical health condition,” the Palestinian Red Crescent said. Some of the 369 prisoners expected to be released today appeared gaunt upon their release.
It came after Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages earlier this morning – Iair Horn, Sasha Trufanov and Sagui Dekel-Chen – in scenes more muted than those seen in previous exchanges.
Earlier this week the ceasefire came close to collapse. Hamas had suspended the release of hostages, accusing Israel of breaching ceasefire obligations, including delaying the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, carrying out strikes across the enclave and hindering the entry of humanitarian aid.
But following threats from US president Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the militant group said on Thursday the scheduled release would go ahead.
It is unclear whether the released Palestinian prisoners include any held under Israel’s administrative detention policy, under which thousands of Palestinians are held indefinitely in Israeli prisons without trial or charge.
So far, 19 Israeli hostages and five Thai hostages have been freed since the ceasefire began on 19 January.
Irish emergency humanitarian assistance for Gaza to be delivered next week
Emergency shelter and food funded by Ireland will be delivered in Gaza next week, the deputy Irish premier has said.
Simon Harris made the announcement ahead of meeting Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
The pair will discuss the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, the need for urgent increases in humanitarian assistance aand how Ireland can assist, “and crucially a discussion around the reconstruction, governance and security of Gaza”, a spokesman for the Tanaiste said.
Alex Croft15 February 2025 12:22
Watch: Moment Hamas releases three hostages from Gaza as ceasefire holds
Hamas has handed over three Israeli hostages on Saturday, 15 February, including US-Israeli man Sagui Dekel-Chen.
Iair Horn and Russian-Israeli Sasha (Alexander) Trufanov are the two others being freed.
Armed Hamas militants led the three onto a stage at the site in Gaza‘s Khan Younis.
The three are being returned in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, a swap which eases fears that the agreement could collapse before the end of a 42-day ceasefire.
Dozens of armed militants were deployed at the site of the release.
Moment Hamas releases three hostages from Gaza as ceasefire holds
Hamas has handed over three Israeli hostages on Saturday, 15 February, including US-Israeli man Sagui Dekel-Chen. Iair Horn and Russian-Israeli Sasha (Alexander) Trufanov are the two others being freed. Armed Hamas militants led the three onto a stage at the site in Gaza’s Khan Younis. The three are being returned in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, a swap which eases fears that the agreement could collapse before the end of a 42-day ceasefire. Dozens of armed militants were deployed at the site of the release.
Shabnoor Irshad15 February 2025 11:57
Palestinian prisoners in ‘critical condition’ after release
Four freed Palestinian prisoners have been immediately transferred to hospital after their release, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.
“Our crews transferred 4 released prisoners from the reception site to the hospital due to their critical health condition,” the group said in a statement.
A total of 369 Palestinian prisoners are due to be released today.
Alex Croft15 February 2025 11:46
Hostages transported to hospitals by helicopter
The hostages travelled to hospitals Israeli Air Force helicopters, the military has said.
At the hospital, they will be reunited with family members and will receive medical treatment.
Bel Trew, Chief International Correspondents15 February 2025 11:30
Who are remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza and when might they be freed?
More than a year after Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023 – killing around 1,200 people and taking another 250 captive – around 80 hostages remain, although Israel believes around a third are dead.
A ceasefire deal currently in place promises the release of the hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian militants in Gaza.
The first stage of the ceasefire to due to last six weeks and see “a full and complete ceasefire” while 33 hostages in Gaza and up to 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in Israel are to be freed. The hostages released will include women, the elderly and the sick.
Alex Croft15 February 2025 11:19
‘Moment of light in the darkness’ say hostage families
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum Headquarters have described today as a “moment of light in the darkness”.
It said in a press release: “After 498 agonizing days in captivity, Iair, Sasha and Sagui are returning home – to their families who worked tirelessly for their release, to friends who prayed for their wellbeing, and to an entire nation that believed this day would come.
“Their return today represents a moment of light in the darkness, along with a painful reminder of the urgency to bring back the 73 hostages still in Gaza.All involved parties must ensure that liberation day comes soon for all hostages.
“The testimonies of those who have returned and signs of life leave no room for doubt – time has run out for the hostages!We must reach a comprehensive and immediate agreement, without phases and without delays, that will return all hostages – the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial.”
Alex Croft15 February 2025 10:55
In pictures: Palestinian prisoners reunite with loved ones in emotional scenes
Alex Croft15 February 2025 10:33
Release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees begins
Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been released from Israeli prisons.
Large crowds gathered near the Ofer prison, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and cheered as the prisoners were freed.
More than 300 Palestinians are expected to be released today.
It is unclear how many of these were being held under Israel’s administrative detention policy, under which thousands of Palestinians are held indefinitely in Israeli prisons without trial or charge.
Alex Croft15 February 2025 09:48
Live: Israeli Ofer prison where Palestinian prisoners expected to be released as part of ceasefire
Alex Croft15 February 2025 09:35
Israel to release 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees
Gaza’s Prisoners’ Information Office said on Friday that 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are set to be released from Israeli prisons.
Of these, 36 are serving life sentences, it said.
One of the most prominent is Ahmed Barghouti, 48, a close aide of Marwan Barghouti, a militant leader and iconic Palestinian political figure.
Israel sentenced Ahmed Barghouti to life on charges that he dispatched suicide bombers during the Second Intifada, or Palestinian uprising, in the early 2000s to carry out attacks that killed Israeli civilians.
Alex Croft15 February 2025 09:35
